CLI, MCP & SDK
Install and use the Auto.dev command-line tool, MCP server for AI agents, and JavaScript/TypeScript SDK
Install
Install globally and configure your AI tools in one command:
npx @auto.dev/sdk mcp installThis installs the auto CLI globally and auto-configures the MCP server in Claude Code, Claude Desktop, and Cursor.
Or install the CLI only:
npm install -g @auto.dev/sdkThen configure MCP separately if needed:
auto mcp installCLI
Authenticate
auto loginOpens your browser for OAuth login. No API key needed for CLI usage after login.
Commands
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
auto decode <vin> | Decode a VIN — make, model, year, trim, engine |
auto photos <vin> | Get vehicle photos |
auto listings [filters] | Search vehicle listings |
auto specs <vin> | Vehicle specifications |
auto build <vin> | OEM build data |
auto recalls <vin> | Safety recalls |
auto payments <vin> [opts] | Monthly payment calculations |
auto apr <vin> [opts] | Interest rates |
auto tco <vin> [opts] | Total cost of ownership |
auto open-recalls <vin> | Open/unresolved recalls |
auto plate <state> <plate> | License plate to VIN |
auto taxes <vin> [opts] | Taxes and fees |
auto usage | Account usage stats |
auto explore [endpoint] | Browse API endpoints and params |
auto docs [query] | Search API documentation |
Examples
Decode a VIN:
auto decode 1HGCM82633A004352Search listings with filters:
auto listings --make Toyota --year 2024 --price 10000-40000 --state CACalculate payments:
auto payments 1HGCM82633A004352 --price 35000 --zip 90210 --down-payment 5000Get interest rates:
auto apr 1HGCM82633A004352 --year 2024 --make Honda --model Accord --zip 90210 --credit-score 750Output as JSON or YAML:
auto decode 1HGCM82633A004352 --json
auto decode 1HGCM82633A004352 --yamlUse a specific API key (overrides stored credentials):
auto decode 1HGCM82633A004352 --api-key sk_ad_...Response Stripping
API metadata is stripped by default — you get clean vehicle data without api, links, user, examples, discover, or actions noise.
Use --raw to see the full API response:
auto decode 1HGCM82633A004352 --rawConfiguration
Manage persistent settings stored in ~/.auto-dev/config.json:
auto config set raw true # always show full responses
auto config get raw # check current value
auto config list # show all settingsSettings are shared across CLI, SDK, and MCP.
Discover APIs
Use explore to browse available endpoints, view parameters, and see how shorthand params map to the actual API:
auto exploreInspect a specific endpoint's parameters:
auto explore listingsThis shows each parameter with its shorthand name, whether it's required or optional, and the real API parameter name it maps to (e.g. make → vehicle.make).
Search Documentation
Browse bundled API documentation right from your terminal:
auto docsView documentation for a specific endpoint:
auto docs listingsYou can use either the shorthand name (recalls) or the full doc name (vehicle-recalls) — both work.
MCP Server
The MCP (Model Context Protocol) server lets AI assistants like Claude access auto.dev APIs directly. If you used npx @auto.dev/sdk mcp install above, it's already configured.
Supported Clients
- Claude Code —
~/.claude.json - Claude Desktop —
~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json - Cursor —
~/.cursor/mcp.json
Manual Configuration
If you prefer to configure manually, add to your MCP client config:
{
"mcpServers": {
"auto-dev": {
"command": "auto",
"args": ["--mcp"]
}
}
}Available Tools
Every CLI command above is available as an MCP tool, prefixed with auto_ (e.g. auto_decode, auto_listings, auto_payments). The auto_docs tool gives AI agents access to the full API documentation — agents can search by endpoint name or keyword to understand parameters, response formats, and usage patterns.
API metadata is stripped from MCP responses by default. Two config tools let agents toggle this:
auto_config_set— set a config value (e.g.key: "raw",value: "true")auto_config_get— get a config value or list all settings
Check Status
auto mcp statusSDK
Install
npm install @auto.dev/sdkInitialize
import { AutoDev } from '@auto.dev/sdk'
const auto = new AutoDev({ apiKey: 'YOUR_API_KEY' })
// API metadata is stripped by default. Pass raw: true to get full responses:
// const auto = new AutoDev({ apiKey: 'YOUR_API_KEY', raw: true })Methods
// Decode a VIN
const vehicle = await auto.decode('1HGCM82633A004352')
// Get photos
const photos = await auto.photos('1HGCM82633A004352')
// Search listings
const listings = await auto.listings({
'vehicle.make': 'Toyota',
'vehicle.year': '2024',
'retailListing.price': '10000-40000',
})
// Get specs
const specs = await auto.specs('1HGCM82633A004352')
// OEM build data
const build = await auto.build('1HGCM82633A004352')
// Safety recalls
const recalls = await auto.recalls('1HGCM82633A004352')
// Open/unresolved recalls
const openRecalls = await auto.openRecalls('1HGCM82633A004352')
// Calculate payments
const payments = await auto.payments('1HGCM82633A004352', {
price: 35000,
zip: '90210',
downPayment: 5000,
})
// Get interest rates
const apr = await auto.apr('1HGCM82633A004352', {
year: 2024,
make: 'Honda',
model: 'Accord',
zip: '90210',
creditScore: '750',
})
// Total cost of ownership
const tco = await auto.tco('1HGCM82633A004352', { zip: '90210' })
// Plate to VIN
const plate = await auto.plate('CA', 'ABC1234')
// Taxes and fees
const taxes = await auto.taxes('1HGCM82633A004352', {
price: 35000,
zip: '90210',
})
// Account usage
const usage = await auto.usage()Response Format
All methods return:
{
data: T, // Response data
meta: {
requestId: string,
tier: string,
usage?: { remaining: number }
}
}Was this API reference helpful?